Politics of Vietnam

Politicians should never be allowed to guide wars. They have to side
more with what the public wants, and in most cases what the public
wants is not what the military wants.



Politicians usually get in the way of the military. The goal of the general is not the same goal as the
politician. The general wants to win the war for his country, but the politician wants to win the election
for himself.

Due to the unpopularity of most wars, a politician tends to support the "Give up and pull out" side of
the public which directly challenges the general's "Keep fighting hard" mentality. So the result of these
two differing American figures is that the war effort is hampered and weakened.



Richard Nixon campaign ad from 1968


Return to Home Page